Helper / Helpmeet / Helpmate.....

[HOPE - Psalm 43:5]

Genesis 2:18-20

And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him. And out of the ground the LORD God formed every beast of the field, and every fowl of the air; and brought them unto Adam to see what he would call them: and whatsoever Adam called every living creature, that was the name thereof. And Adam gave names to all cattle, and to the fowl of the air, and to every beast of the field; but for Adam there was not found an help meet for him.

"Help Meet" - helpmate - a female helper to man; a companion; a wife

We''ve heard so many different teachings on the word "help meet". All these teachings seem to infer a considerable inadquacy in man so grave that he needs "help".

BIG QUESTION: is man inadequate alone? Is man lacking adequate power, capacity, or competency in some way? If so, what is he lacking?

While we didn't question that it is not good for man to be alone and that he needs a helper -- no need to question that because God said so in His word.

Minor questions pertaining to woman.

1. Why was it not said that it is not good for woman to be alone?
2. Why is it not inferred that woman doesn't "need" help?
3. Why does she have such a strong influence on man?

Questions pertaining to the man/woman relationship

Genesis 2:24
Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall
be one flesh.

4. Why do women reject men who seem to be clingy? Women tend to say they don't like a clingy man. But isn't this what men are suppose to do? Maybe we should take a look at the definition of the world "cleave".

CLEAVE DEFINITIONS
Bible Dictionary definition - to cling, stick, stay close, cleave, keep close, stick to, stick with, follow closely, join to, overtake, catch

Merriam Webster dictionary: to adhere firmly and closely or loyally and unwaveringly

Did you notice the words "overtake" and "catch"? Women enjoy being pursued. Men enjoy the pursuit. But what happens when the pursuit is over? Why is there such a strong inclination for women to want to dominate man yet be subdued by them? What is this inner turmoil?

CRIME AND PUNISHMENT

Genesis 3:16

Unto the woman he said, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children; and thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee.

Part of woman's punishment was that she would desire or long for her husband.

5. Was this desire not there before Eve sinned?
6. Was woman (although created from Adam's rib) significantly independent and controlling? Is this woman's natural bent so God placed within her this longing to be connected to man?
7. Is this why so many women idolize marriage instead of appreciating what marriage has to offer her or being content with her life as an unmarried woman who can serve the Lord wholely?

Another part of her punishment was that he would "rule" over her; have a position of authority over her.

8. Were they equal in authority and rule prior to the fall? After all, God gave them BOTH dominion. Genesis 1:28
And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.
9. Do women consider submission as a punishment for Eve's sin? Does the punishment of submission cut to the core of a woman's natural inclination to have complete authoritative equality with man ias in Gen 1:28?
10. Is this the root cause of the inner struggle we see in women?
11. Is this the root cause of the inner longing of man to have woman respect his position of authority?

Feel Free to answer any or all the numbered questions or just post a comment.